Job Discussion Forums

aku_tonpa · Joined: 03 May 2004 Posts: 63

It is hard to know exactly how this all works. The law is from 2009, but i know of teachers hired at International Schools without a first degree in the summer of 2010.
I have only heard of a couple of reports of teachers being refused interviews based on this law,
It would be interesting to hear other reports to find out if schools are implementing to what is set out in this law.

I also asked my principal (showing her the document) and she seemed to think that it didn't affect International Schools, just adding to my confusion.

scuba066 · Joined: 03 Oct 2010 Posts: 34

Today's English First job postings do not mention an english literature degree, only a college degree.

Durian Tango · Joined: 05 Nov 2010 Posts: 65 Location: HCMC

As far as my school is concerned, the regulations as we have recently come to know them are still rock solid. We have tried to hire teachers without degrees in English, even if they have experience and a CELTA/Trinity - but they have all been rejected. It's a degree in English or nothing.

At the same time, applicants are coming to our school saying that they have been offered jobs at other schools, even though their degree is not in English. This implies two things: one is that the law is not being applied equally to all English language schools across the country or the second is that some schools are finding ways around the regulations. What those ways are, I can't comment on, because I don't know.

Either way though, the best advice I have for new teacher applicants is to try a various number of schools when applying, but if a school says they will hire you when you don't have an English degree, triple check that they will be able to legally get you a working permit - otherwise it may spell trouble down the road.

I would be interested to hear from other English language schools that are able to hire teachers without degrees in English, and how they are managing to to do this. It would certainly make everyone's life a lot easier if there were a magical 'get out jail free' card on this one.

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

what school do u work for? what were some of the other schools that were hiring these teachers?
thanks

Durian Tango · Joined: 05 Nov 2010 Posts: 65 Location: HCMC

@travelNteach: Sorry for the delay - got a bit busy there. To be honest, I think I'm going to stay anonymous at the moment as I like to engage in these chats, but without being associated with one particular school.

For the other schools, I'd rather not name them either, only because I know different branches are doing different things, and also because I know that schools' policies can change over time and fluctuate with need. For some, I can imagine that desperate times can lead to deperate measures.

Luckily, it turns out there ARE enough English degree holders out there looking for work so we are running fine now. It certainly has narrowed the field a lot though and we have had to pass up on a great number of potentially great teachers.

travelNteach · Joined: 14 Jul 2009 Posts: 222

@ DT, fair enough. i wes just asking for those that might not be qualified to have a place to try. i imagine that eventually new applicants will get it sorted which schools are not as concerned with these regulations.

Flicka · Joined: 22 Mar 2010 Posts: 68

Been looking at some ads and EF doesn't ask for English-related degree, just "CELTA, similar qualification or equivalent experience".
KELT in Surabaya, offering a more attractive package than EF, still doesn't ask for the English-related degree just CELTA.
Wall Street and TBI both require CELTA AND English-related degree.

Don't know when all the regs came into being but my fellow native speak was hired September 2010, no CELTA or equivalent, no English-related degree and has got a KITAS (that took less time to come through than mine when I have English related degree AND CELTA! Go figure...)

Seems like a bit of a lottery! Am currently applying for my next contract, not applying to EF though! Feel I've done my time with them! But as EF's go, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the one in Lampung to anyone who's willing to work and not fussed about partying. The people here are lovely and as helpful as can be. Great colleagues to work with, mostly locals.

To whoever mentioned about wondering whether English degree holders could command a greater rate of pay...I wish! Would be nice. If the rules are that faffy, then they should reward those who fit their narrow mold!

Let's see what happens with this all...

mackayscanland · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 39

Stein, I like what you started with do you because the president because you hold an ELL degree and a CELTA cert. Great thread, really enjoyed reading and keeping up with this post. I hope to see you people there one day!
MacDaddy

mackayscanland · Joined: 15 Mar 2009 Posts: 39

My mind was going way to fast when I posted there, Stein. I was talking about the pay structure when one has the "legal" creds. I'm working hard to finish my ELL degree and hoping it makes a difference!